26.04.

1802: Napoleon Allows the Return of the Majority of Emigrants to France

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Story Highlights

Historical event:

26 April 1802

Emigrants were required to take an oath to the government after their return to France and to break ties with foreign hostile states.

Napoleon Bonaparte allowed the return of the majority of emigrants to France on this day in 1802.

Many people, especially the royalty, had left the country during the French Revolution. The radical revolutionaries issued regulations which confiscated the property of emigrants, and they were not allowed to return to France.

Had they returned to France, they would have probably been executed on the guillotine.

Napoleon introduced something akin to a softer approach and allowed the return of the majority of emigrants.

However, the most stubborn opponents of the Revolution and the new regime were not allowed to return, for example the military officers who fought against revolutionary France.

All in all, about 1,000 people were not allowed to return to France.

The emigrants were required to take an oath to the government after their return to France and to break ties with foreign hostile states.

Napoleon was the First Consul in France and had only 32 years when he issued this edict. Later, he proclaimed himself the Emperor of the French, at the age of 34.